Aftermath Of Gunmen Attack On 2 Churches In Kaduna With Worshippers Killed, Many Missing: Isn’t It Time To Democratize Violence?
The Oasis Reporters
June 19, 2022
The fundamental freedom of Assembly and freedom of worship which is enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution is fast being eroded as the country’s security situation continues to worsen with each passing day.
The country has just witnessed yet another attack on churches following the killing of worshippers in Owo, a town in Ondo State.
Just two weeks after the incident in Owo, gunmen struck again, this time in Kaduna State where they attacked two churches.
KDSG confirms bandit attack on worshippers, three killed, two injured https://t.co/MKLADnl92F
— The Guardian Nigeria (@GuardianNigeria) June 19, 2022
The worship centres which came under attack by the gunmen believed to be bandits were Saint Moses Catholic Church and Maranatha Baptist Church – both in Kajuru Local Government Area of the state.
No fewer than three people were confirmed to have lost their lives to the attacks on three communities – Ungwan Fada, Ungwan Turawa, and Ungwan Makama, all in Rubu general area of Kajuru.
Sources told an independent network, Channels Television that at least two persons were injured while several others were feared missing and said to have been abducted by the bandits.
With the consistency of attacks,killings and kidnappings in Kajuru,Kaduna state,it’s apt to say that terrorists are out wipe out the inhabitants of the local government;they must be stopped.
— Senator Shehu Sani (@ShehuSani) June 19, 2022
The Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs in Kaduna, Samuel Aruwan, has confirmed the attacks on the churches.
According to him, the terrorists stormed the communities on motorcycles, beginning from Ungwan Fada, and moving into Ungwan Turawa, before Ungwan Makama and then Rubu.
Recounting the incident, Aruwan said the bandits attacked worshippers at the Maranatha Baptist Church and St Moses Catholic Church in Rubu, killing three worshippers in the attack.
He identified the victims to include the Ward Head of Ungwan Fada, Peter Madaki; the Youth Leader of Rubu, Ali Zamani, and another resident of Ungwan Fada, Elisha Ezekiel.
Similarly, the commissioner said two persons were injured in the attacks while an unspecified number of locals were kidnapped, quoting reports from the security agencies.
He said the bandits also looted shops and carted away some valuables from the villages.
Also condemning the incident, the Deputy Governor of Kaduna State, Dr Hadiza Balarabe, expressed deep sadness over the attacks.
She condoled with the families of the victims and prayed for the repose of their souls. Balarabe also commiserated with members of the attacked churches and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured victims.
Questions are being raised nationwide about the ease of movement of these so called bandits who carry out their evil designs unchallenged.
The case of the Methodist Church Prelate in Abia State also comes to mind who were freed because a ransom payment of one hundred million naira was paid to the bandits.
With the inability of the security forces to nip these ugly incidents in the bud, perhaps isn’t it time to devolve security back to Vigilanté outfits owned by communities?
The idea is to give the citizenry the right to exercise the basic freedom from fear.
If bandits know that communities are as well armed with the same caliber of sophisticated weapons they flaunt, banditry and kidnapping by the over pampered outlaws would decline.
